Nanotechnology Research - Initiatives and Networks

The project MUST aims at providing new technologies based on active multi-level protective systems for future vehicle materials. 'Smart' release nanocontainers will be developed and incorporated in commercial paints, lacquers and adhesive systems to prepare new products exhibiting self-healing properties.

The NADINE project aims at the development of a diagnostic tool able to detect in blood as early as possible, and at a cost compatible with large scale screening, an emerging neurodegenerative disease, and thus aid in the selection the best treatment. The project involves a multidisciplinary consortium of technology developers, three leading biomedical groups in clinical neuroscience for definition of specifications and end-user pre-clinical validation, three research-oriented SMEs in biotechnology, nanosensing and microfluidics and a pharmaceutical company.

NANEX (Development of Exposure Scenarios for Manufactured Nanomaterials) is a European research program whose aim is to develop a catalogue of generic and specific (occupational, consumer and environmental release) exposure scenarios for MNMs taking account of the entire lifecycle of these materials. NANEX will collect and review available exposure information, focussing on three very relevant MNMs: (1) high aspect ratio nanomaterials- HARNs) (e.g. carbon nanotubes); (2) mass-produced nanomaterials (e.g. ZnO, TiO2, carbon black); and (3) specialised nanomaterials that are currently only produced on a small scale (e.g. Ag). The exposure information will include both quantitative (measurement results) and qualitative contextual exposure information (risk management measures).

Nano Grind, a project funded by the European Community under the 'Competitive and Sustainable Growth' Program aims at producing cheap, smooth and curved optical surfaces (in glass, ceramics or hard metal) using an innovative grinding machine tool with electrolytic in-line dressing (ELID). Nano Grind will give a significant machining cost reduction with equal specs on dimensional accuracy and surface quality.

NHECD is a free access, robust and sustainable web based information system including a knowledge repository on the impact of nanoparticles on health, safety and the environment. It includes unstructured data (e.g., scientific papers and other relevant publications). It also includes a mechanism for updating its knowledge repository, thus enabling the creation of a large and developing collection of published data on environmental and health effects following exposure to nanoparticles .

Ever been curious about how a real science project operates? What it's like working in a research lab? What happens when unexpected things happen? Ever wanted to get involved in cutting-edge nanotechnology research, meet the scientists, and be there when the latest discoveries are made? With nano2hybrids, for the first time this is possible... the key scientists involved in this European research project will be making video diaries and posting them on this web site, along with blogs of their work and lives.

NanoBio-RAISE combines ethics research in nanobiotechnology with science communication. This interdisciplinary project brings together nanobiotechnologists, ethicists and communication specialists with the aims to anticipate the societal and ethical issues likely to arise as nanobiotechnologies develop and to use the lessons from the GM debate to respond to the probable public concerns. NanoBio-RAISE is a 6th Framework Programme project.

The main objective of the project is to establish the scientific and technological basis for the development new intelligent composite scaffold for bone tissue repair and regeneration with bioactive behavior capable of activating osteoprogenitor cells and genes and within an in vivo environment provide the interface to respond to physiological and biological changes, with mechanical and structural properties similar to a healthy bone and with size and shape required for reconstructing big skeletal defects.

The NANOCAGE project brings together a number of leading European nanoscience groups on a research problem which involves not only a novel materials system but a variety of cutting edge spectroscopic techniques. Interpretation of the spectroscopic measurements will in turn be facilitated by the application of a number of powerful theoretical methods. This combination of interdisciplinary research, challenging experimental techniques, an exotic materials system, and comprehensive theoretical work provides an exceptionally strong PhD training programme in nanoscience.